Bell's Brewery (2020)

VBN line was 1.5-1.75 hours as they had never done a Black Friday release and didn't anticipate the line being what it was. The GS employees said there had never been a longer line for any release ever. I can see Black Friday being a "thing" moving forward for them. The 2-4 pack allocation was very disappointing, and with hardly any distribution within the state made it frustrating for locals as well.

Blackbeard line was 15-20 mins at opening and was gone within a couple of hours. They still had a fair amount on hand the day after the release.

BBA Expedition (2018) was a good 45 mins, but the allocation was a case and was stated so at least several days prior to release. 99.9% of people left with a case.

 

Really nice find at my local place in Fort Wayne. My beer guy was telling me that his distributor got cases of 2015 Expedition...definitely grabbed a six pack of that!

 

Vicodin - 2015 Expedition Stout was/may be available in distro? That’s an incredible find! Wonder if it was wan distributor or if others got some as well..

 

I wouldn't be surprised if others see it as well; it was like someone at Bells stashed 2015 Expo & Third Coast Old Ale somewhere & forgot about it. They were at the General Store for a couple of months, kegs have been popping up places & I've seen it in distro (although I do live in Kzoo area so that may be why)

 

Many (including myself) feel that Expo hits the sweet spot at around 3 years (I know this would be 4 years). So maybe Bells took a note from Goose and held back a bunch? But then again, if it's not really advertised, that probably negates that reasoning.

 

Yeah my beer guy worded like “Larry was sitting on this and third coast ale then sent it out”

 

Bells has done this in the past. I visited the Lake Michigan shore in June 2014 and found some 2011 expedition at the general store on the way there. Have lucked into it a few times at the GS since then, including the drop of older stuff at NE Ohio stores late last year.

I try to keep a four year rotation on the shelf so this feels like cheating - but I will still pick some up when I run into it. The perfect campfire brew.

 

Guess I need to make a stop at my local bottle shop!

 

Has anyone had Black Hearted yet? There are no reviews on the brewery page, which is surprising given the apparent demand for this beer and it selling out so quickly on release day.

 

I went through the line twice on release day and picked up a case. It's drinking really well. Kind of a smoky bitter malt taste on the front and familiar two hearted hop profile on the back. I hope they make this every year.

 

Leaves of Grass VI: Salut au Monde, an unfiltered rustic lager is being released this week. I will definitely give this one a try. Based on the style I would guess that it will not sell out quickly.

 

A Kellerbier from Bell's. I'm in.

 

Thanks for the update! It has taken 4-6 weeks post Kalamazoo release for these beers to reach Chicago.

The Smoked Porter IV of the series has been my favorite of the five, looking forward to this and the final offering.

 

VII - Will be an American Wild Ale. Released in May.

 

2020 BBA Expedition Stout set to release in the next 4-8 weeks. Status could change if the brewery decides to make any modifications but this was the latest as of yesterday. There is no further information at this time.

 

Where'd you get this information from? I'm curious if itll see distro again.

 

Oberon Day Cancelled, product to be shipped as scheduled. Distributors are able to release to stores and bars as they receive, even before the previously scheduled March 23 launch date.

Link

 

Won't be any bars open for people to drink on tap.

Which makes me wonder what all the kegs of IPAs at bars and restaurants will taste like when these place are allowed to reopen?

 

Lotsa Oberon showing up on the shelves in Southern California this week!